Control grip shape for zero-turn mower, control grip for zero-turn lawnmower, and lawnmower

Abstract

A lawnmower and lawnmower control handle can include a bar configured to pivot in a direction of an input force applied by an operator and a grip having an outer surface that is a non-circular shape and an inner surface that is a different shape than the shape of the outer surface. The bar can be located inside the grip and disposed against the inner surface of the grip.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lawnmower comprising:
 a frame; 
 a deck suspended from the frame and including a cutting chamber; 
 a power source mounted on the frame; 
 at least one blade rotatably supported in the cutting chamber and rotationally driven by the power source; 
 a pair of control handles connected to and extending away from the frame, wherein each of the control handles comprises a bar configured to pivot in a direction of an input force applied by an operator, and a grip having an inner surface, wherein each bar is located inside a respective one of the grips and disposed against the inner surface of the respective one of the grips; 
 a pair of hydraulic pumps each pivotably connected to a respective one of the control handles; 
 a pair of hydraulic motors each in fluid communication with a respective one of the hydraulic pumps; and 
 a pair of drive wheels, wherein each hydraulic motor drives a respective one of the drive wheels, wherein
 each of the grips includes:
 an inner ring, the inner surface is on the inner ring; 
 an outer ring spaced away from the inner ring; 
 a first strip connected to the inner ring at a first point and connected to the outer ring at a second point; 
 a second strip connected to the inner ring at third point spaced away from the first point, the second strip intersecting the first strip at a location on the first strip that is spaced away from the first point and the second point, 
 a third strip connected to the inner ring at the first point and connected to the outer ring at a fourth point that is spaced away from the second point; and 
 a fourth strip connected to the inner ring at a fifth point that is spaced away from the first point and the third point, the fourth strip intersecting the third strip at a location that is between the first point and the fourth point. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The lawnmower of  claim 1 , wherein
 the inner ring has a cross section taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the grip that is shaped as a circle, and the outer ring has a cross section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grip that is shaped as an oval, and 
 the first strip, the second trip, the third strip, and the fourth strip form a resiliently deformable webbing. 
 
     
     
       3. The lawnmower of  claim 1 , wherein
 the bar is a hollow metallic bar. 
 
     
     
       4. The lawnmower of  claim 2 , wherein
 the webbing defines a plurality of cavities and at least one of the plurality of cavities is a first shape and at least another one of the plurality of cavities is a second shape different from the first shape. 
 
     
     
       5. The lawnmower of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one pair of caster wheels mounted on the frame, wherein
 the deck is disposed between the pair of caster wheels and the pair of drive wheels; 
 
 a footplate mounted on the frame; and 
 a seat mounted on the frame, wherein
 the pair of control handles are disposed between the footplate and the seat, the grips are disposed above the seat, and each of the control handles directs a respective one of the drive wheels in a direction of operator input.